Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin's New Kingmaker: Metaplanet Rises as Institutional Capital Shifts

Metaplanet, a Bitcoin treasury firm, has further solidified its position in the global financial landscape by expanding its Bitcoin holdings and securing inclusion in major equity indices. The company’s recent addition to the FTSE Japan Index, as part of the FTSE Russell’s September 2025 Semi-Annual Review, elevates its status from a small-cap to a mid-cap stock, marking a strategic shift in institutional capital allocation toward Bitcoin. This inclusion also extends to the FTSE All-World Index, granting Metaplanet exposure to a broader range of global investors and potentially redirecting passive capital flows into the cryptocurrency market [1].

The company’s decision to upgrade its status in the indices follows strong performance metrics in the second quarter of 2025. Metaplanet’s stock outperformed Japan’s TOPIX Core 30 index, with a year-to-date (YTD) gain of approximately 187%, compared to the benchmark’s 7.2% appreciation. The firm is now the seventh-largest publicly traded holder of Bitcoin, with a corporate treasury containing 18,888 BTC, surpassing major corporations and financial institutions like Coinbase and Tesla [1]. CEO Simon Gerovich has outlined plans to utilize a portion of the company’s BTC holdings to acquire income-generating businesses, including the potential acquisition of a digital bank or related financial services [1].

Metaplanet’s long-term strategy includes accumulating 210,000 BTC by 2027, representing 1% of the total Bitcoin supply. This target underscores the company’s commitment to positioning itself as a dominant player in the Bitcoin treasury space and reflects growing institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency’s value retention and utility [1]. The company’s aggressive accumulation strategy aligns with broader industry trends where institutional investors are increasingly allocating capital to Bitcoin, driven by macroeconomic uncertainty and the asset’s perceived store-of-value properties.

Japan’s evolving regulatory environment also plays a role in Metaplanet’s strategic expansion. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) is reportedly working on a comprehensive digital asset reform package, including potential tax cuts, regulatory clarity for crypto ETFs, and the establishment of a Digital Finance Bureau. These reforms aim to align Japan with global financial innovation and could facilitate the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs, increasing retail and institutional access to the asset. The 2026 tax alignment, which would lower the effective tax rate on crypto gains from a progressive scale to a flat 20%, is expected to reduce barriers to entry and stimulate trading activity [4].

The broader financial ecosystem in Japan is also evolving, with other major players like SBI Group forging partnerships to integrate blockchain technology into traditional financial systems. SBI Group, one of the largest financial conglomerates in the country, has announced a strategic collaboration with Chainlink, a leading blockchain oracle platform, to develop institutional-grade tools for tokenized assets, cross-border payments, and stablecoin verifications. The partnership emphasizes the role of blockchain in enhancing efficiency, compliance, and interoperability in financial transactions [2].

As Metaplanet continues its expansion and the Japanese regulatory framework matures, the intersection of institutional finance and cryptocurrency is expected to deepen. With Metaplanet’s growing influence, strategic partnerships, and government reforms, the country may emerge as a key player in the global adoption of digital assets, particularly Bitcoin. These developments reflect a broader shift in how traditional financial markets are beginning to integrate crypto assets into their infrastructure and offerings [1].

Source:

[1] Metaplanet added to FTSE Japan and All-World Stock Indices (https://cointelegraph.com/news/metaplanet-added-ftse-japan-all-world-stock-indices)

[2] SBI Group and Chainlink Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Institutional Digital Asset Adoption in Key Global Markets (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sbi-group-and-chainlink-announce-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-institutional-digital-asset-adoption-in-key-global-markets-302537166.html)

[3] SBI, Chainlink to Bring Blockchain to Asia's Finance Market (https://cointelegraph.com/news/sbi-group-partners-chainlink-crypto-asia-finance-market)

[4] Japan Prepares Weeping Crypto Reforms: Tax Cuts and ETF Approval on the Horizon (https://cryptodnes.bg/en/japan-prepares-wweeping-crypto-reforms-tax-cuts-and-etf-approval-on-the-horizon/)